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Types And Stages Of Decay
When acids first start dissolving the tooth, a white spot appears on the enamel. This is where the demineralization has begun to weaken the enamel and start a cavity inside the tooth. At this stage, the tooth can remineralize and fix the weakened area itself with the help of minerals in saliva. But if the decay continues and breaks through the surface of the enamel, the damage is permanent. The decay must be cleaned out and the cavity filled by a dentist. Left untreated, the decay will continue. It has been known to eat away at a tooth all the way through the enamel, through the dentin and down to the pulp of the tooth.
In young children, teeth that have just recently emerged have weak enamel and are highly susceptible to acid decay. Acute caries, which destroys enamel quickly, is common in children and young adults. This type of decay can eat through enamel and leave a large cavity in a matter of months.
Older adults sometimes have chronic caries, cavities that don't seem to progress or progress at a very slow rate. They will tend to be darker in color because the edges get stained from normal eating and drinking.
Root caries is more common in older adults than in younger adults for a couple of reasons. Older adults are more likely to have gums that have receded from years of hard brushing or That can expose a portion of the root, which is not protected by enamel and is at a higher risk of decay. Older adults also have higher incidences of dry mouth (xerostomia), Recurrent caries is decay that forms beneath fillings or other like crowns.Sometimes, bacteria and food particles can slip into a tooth if a filling hasn't been placed properly or if the filling cracks or pulls away from the tooth enough to leave a gap.
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